Country sensation Josh Turner will perform at the 116th Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo this August.
This year’s fair runs Aug. 15-19 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds with the theme of “Discover Montana’s Best.” Turner will perform on Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the concert and all other grandstand events are available at the fairgrounds office and on the Northwest Montana Fair website at www.nwmtfair.com.
Turner is a multi-platinum recording artist and one of country music’s most recognizable musicians. Turner lends his deep, rich voice to traditional country music. His six albums include hits, “Your Man,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance” and “Long Black Train.”
Turner grew up in South Carolina singing in church. He moved to Nashville to pursue music and attended Belmont University, where he met his wife, Jennifer. In 2001, he debuted a song he wrote, “Long Black Train,” at the Grand Ole Opry.
In 2003, Turner released his first album titled, “Long Black Train,” which spent more than 40 weeks on the Billboard country charts. In 2006, Turner was nominated at the Grammy Awards for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and for Best Country Album after the release of his second album, “Your Man.”
In 2007, Turner became the second youngest member of the Grand Ole Opry. In 2009, Turner released his third No. 1 hit, “Why Don’t We Just Dance.” His most recent album, “Deep South,” was released in 2017 and was his third No. 1 album on the U.S. country charts.
Flathead’s Got Talent winner, Andrew Sweeney, will open the show at 6:30 p.m. Then the Flying W Wranglers will play their own brand of classic country music, before Turner takes the stage at 8:20 p.m.
General admission adult tickets are $32 and tickets for children are $20. Reserved seating and party pit tickets for the concert are sold out. All tickets purchased before the event include admission to the fairgrounds.
The following three nights at the grandstands will feature the Ram PRCA Rodeo. Each evening includes different events, but Kesler Championship Rodeo Stock, Mutton Bustin’ and Championship Relay Races will take place nightly. Tickets purchased in advance include fair gate admission and are $24 for reserved seats and $20 for general admission.
The grandstand events round out with the Giant Demolition Derby on Aug. 19. The monster car derby begins at 6 p.m. and tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.
This year’s fair also includes new facilities, vendors and artists.
Whitefish Credit Union is sponsoring a 3D chalk art exhibit featuring People of the Chalk. People of the Chalk is an artistic couple, Benjamin and Cherish Hummel, who use the temporary medium of chalk art to engage with their audience. Benjamin has been suffering from an autoimmune disease known as IBD-PSC, which has made it necessary for him to receive two liver transplants.
Throughout his journey, Benjamin has written books on illustration and become an activist for his disease. The Hummels are based in Colorado
Their exhibit will take two full days to develop. Fair-goers will be able to watch the art being created and some audience members may even be invited to help in the creation of the piece.
“With more than 8,000 exhibits of local talent and learning on display, the competitive exhibits create the special environment of the fair that keeps us unique among community events” Mark Campbell, fairgrounds manager, said.
For more information on these and other fair activities and performances visit www.nwmtfair.com.